Mariana Pinto

Exposure of Children to Ultrafine Particles in Primary Schools in Portugal

Children spend a large part of their time at schools, which might be reflected as chronic exposure. Ultrafine particles (UFP) are generally associated with a more severe toxicity compared to fine and coarse particles, due to their ability to penetrate cell membranes. In addition, children tend to be more susceptible to UFP-mediated toxicity compared to adults, due to various factors including undeveloped immune and respiratory systems and inhalation rates. Thus, the purpose of this study was to determine indoor UFP number concentrations in Portuguese primary schools. Ultrafine particles were sampled between January and March 2014 in 10 public primary schools (35 classrooms) located in Porto, Portugal. Overall, the average indoor UFP number concentrations were not significantly different from outdoor concentrations (8.69 × 103 vs. 9.25 × 103 pt/cm3, respectively; considering 6.5 h of indoor occupancy). Classrooms with distinct characteristics showed different trends of indoor UFP concentrations. The levels of carbon dioxide were negatively correlated with indoor UFP concentrations. Occupational density was significantly and positively correlated with UFP concentrations. Although the obtained results need to be interpreted with caution since there are no guidelines for UFP levels, special attention needs to be given to source control strategies in order to reduce major particle emissions and ensure good indoor air quality.

Urinary hydration biomarkers and dietary intake in children

INTRODUCTION The importance of hydration is undoubtable but reliable data on hydration status and its relation with diet is lacking. OBJECTIVES We aimed to evaluate the hydration status and its relation to beverages and food intake in children. METHODS A sample of 172 (50% male), 7-11 year-old children was included in this survey. Participants completed a 24 h urine collection; a 24 hours food recall corresponding to the day of urine collection was applied, weight and height were measured and parents/caregivers fi lled a lifestyle and socio-demographic questionnaire. The free water reserve was used to assess the hydration status. The intakes of food and beverages were compared according to hydration status using the t-test, Mann-Whitney test or unconditional regression models as appropriate. RESULTS More than half of the participants were classifi ed as hypohydrated or at risk of hypohydration (57% in girls and 58% in boys). Compared to hypohydrated children, a signifi cant higher consumption of water (276.2 ± 208.4 vs 188.2 ± 187.4 g/day) and fruit juices (77.6 ± 139.4 vs 14.4 ± 57.2 g/day) was reported by euhydrated boys and girls, respectively. Lower consumers of water and fruit juices showed a higher risk of hypohydration (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.02-4.58, p = 0.045), adjusting for confounders. CONCLUSIONS Most of the children included in this analysis were classifi ed as at risk of hypohydration and those with higher water and fruit juices consumption showed a better hydration status.

Meal-exercise challenge and physical activity reduction impact on immunity and inflammation (MERIIT trial)

Background The effect of a pre-exercise meal as countermeasure to exercise induced immunodepression is poorly known. Also, sedentary behavior is associated with increased cardiometabolic risk but studies on immune changes are lacking. Therefore, we aimed to assess: 1) the impact of a pre-exercise Mediterranean meal (MdM) compared with a fast-food type meal (FFM) on exercise-induced immunological changes and 2) the impact of an induced acute period of sedentary behavior on neuro-immune-endocrine status. Methods /Design: This is a two steps clinical trial including: (a) randomized crossover clinical trial, comparing the effect a high-fat/low-nutrient dense meal, FFM, with an isoenergetic similar high-nutrient dense meal, MdM, in the immune response to an exercise challenge (EC) and (b) a pilot trial assessing the neuro-immune-endocrine change induced by acute decreasing by half the usual physical activity level. Results A total of 46 participants (26 females), median aged 25 years were included. Of those 39-completed protocol, including overweight, physical active and inactive and participants with asthma. There were no differences in the EC between interventions. Dietary factors and physical activity were closely monitored during interventions and kept similar. During physical inactivity induction, 31% reached the target of 50% reduction in mean step number and 77% reached a 30% reduction. Conclusion The use of a pre-exercise meal to modulate immune response and the understanding of the immunological impact of physical inactivity might help to establish future recommendations on how to practice exercise in a safer way and to recognize the potential impact of inactivity.

Potassium urinary excretion and dietary intake: a cross-sectional analysis in 8-10 year-old children (vol 15, 60, 2015)

After publication of the original article [1] we were contacted by the authors asking that the funding information be updated. The updated text should read as: This work was supported by ARIA Project PTDC/DTPSAP/1522/2012 from Foundation for Science and Technology (Fundação para a Ciência e Tecnologia FCT) cofinanced by European Regional Development Fundthrough Operational Competitiveness Programme (COMPETE) FCOMP −01-0124-FEDER-028797; and by the Portuguese CCDR-N for funding the research project “E2BE” (NORTE-07-0124FEDER-000036), through the European Union FEDER programme.

Hydration status and associated dietary factors in children.

Introduction: An appropriate hydration is essential for normal body function and water may be obtained from beverages and foods. Objective: To evaluate the hydration status and its relation to beverages and food intake in children. Method: 172 (50% male), 7-11 years-old children completed a 24h urine collection. The Free Water Reserve was used to assess the hydration status. A 24 hours food recall corresponding to the day of urine collection was collected and a lifestyle and socio- demographic questionnaire was filled by parents. Anthropometric data were obtained. Food and beverage groups were created and unconditional logistic regression models were fitted in order to estimate the magnitude of the association between the contribution of beverages/ food’s water content and the hydration status. Results: 57.6% of children were classified as at risk of hypohydration. A significant higher consumption of water (276.2 (± 208.4) vs. 188.2 (± 187.4) g/day) and fruit juices (77.6 (± 139.4) vs. 14.4 (± 57.2 g/day) was reported by euhydrated boys and girls, respectively, compared to hypohydrated ones. A lower consumption of water and juices 100% was associated with a higher risk of hypohydration (OR = 2.16, 95% CI: 1.02 – 4.58, p = 0.045), adjusting for confounders. Conclusions: Almost 60% of children were at risk of hypohydration. Water and fruit juices were significantly associated with a better hydration status.